Work with a charity

[dave1928]

Im currently setting up a online pet store. As my brother and i suffer with genetic eye condition resulting in a need of guide dog i was wondering if i could work with 'the guide dogs' charity. It would be good to raise money for them and at same time help my business.
I was thinking of donating a percentage of everysale for first 6 - 12 months.
Would this be a good idea as far as helping the business too??? is there a min percentage to qualify as a charity.
I dont know anything about this sort of thing, i just thought it could maybe help get my business going at the same time as raising money for the charity.
Any comments???

Thanks

[Zeno]

My views are expressed here. http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=95720&highlight=Charity&page=2

I do not believe that it is a good idea to combine your profit making business with charitable objectives.

[wevet]

To any right thinking person it would be a very good idea.

However, a cautionary tale before you get your hopes up: An acquaintance offered a straight donation to a major cancer charity for every paying client and he was told great "you can use our name but you have to guarantee a minimum income donation of £20k per annum."

He could not offer such a min guarantee so he simply placed on the order confirmation form "thanks for your order , by the way 4% of your spend is going to X charity".

Couple of weeks later the charity's solicitors were on the case threatening legal action if the name was not removed.

It was removed and the business is a roaring success and the £20k level is easily exceeded but X charity will not be the beneficiary.